St. Louis Blues Name David Backes Captain; Barret Jackman, Andy McDonald, Alex Steen, and Jamie Langenbrunner Alternates

The Blues’ General Manager Doug Armstrong and Coach Davis Payne were on hand today at the Scottrade Center to announce the St. Louis Blues‘ new captain and alternate captains. Last season, Eric Brewer served as captain until the trade deadline deal that sent him to Tampa Bay. David Backes, Alexander Steen, Barret Jackman, and (after the departure of Erik Johnson) Alex Pietrangelo sported the As.

This season, your captain of the St. Louis Blues is David Backes, with Barret Jackman, Andy McDonald, Alex Steen, and Jamie Langenbrunner as the assistant captains. There wasn’t any doubt that Backes, coming off of a 31 goal, 31 assist season, would be named the 20th captain in the team’s history. His poise in interviews, his ability to lead the room and command respect, and the fact that he’s very forthcoming with local media after a loss or win are all attributes that a captain must posses.

The alternate captains should come as no surprise. Three of these players have worn the A at some point in the past, and all are leaders on and off of the ice. Jackman, who is the longest tenured member of the Blues – he won the Calder Trophy in 1999) – was also a favorite to be named captain if David Backes wasn’t. Langenbrunner was previously captain of the New Jersey Devils.